An English country mansion which was built in 1912 as a millionaire's home has become a school for Japanese children.

The school answers a long-felt demand for such a project; there are at least 6,000 Japanese working in Britain. Until now their children have been educated at British schools, with extra Japanese classes on Saturdays. But it was difficult for them to integrate into the Japanese educational system when they returned home, and this often deterred Japanese businessmen from accepting appointments in Britain.

The project developed out of visits to Britain by children from Rikkyo High School in Tokyo. These had been organised by the Rev. John Spencer, who was a Christian missionary in Japan before his wife's ill-health forced their return to Britain. Mr Spencer is now deputy headmaster of the school.

The school is run as an off-shoot of the Rikkyo High School, which has 15,000 students at all levels. Teachers have been recruited from Japan and the Japanese government will contribute towards their salaries. There are already Japanese schools in 24 countries, but this is the first to be founded privately, and it will be administered by an educational charity trust.

SYNOPSIS: In the quiet British countryside lies a typical country house. Pallinghurst was built in 1912 for a millionaire. Like many similar large country properties it's too big for private owners to afford nowadays, and it's now no longer so typically British: today Pallinghurst is a school for Japanese children.

Behind its elegant walls the children of Japanese businessmen working in Britain get a Japanese education. Previously they'd been at British schools and able to study Japanese subjects only on Saturdays. This meant problems when the children returned home, and put many Japanese people off accepting jobs in Britain.

The Reverend John Spender, seen here watching a class in action, is deity headmaster and a former missionary in Japan. He returned to Britain because his wife has unwell but maintained his links with the country where he had made many friends. He arranged visits to Britain by several parties of pupils from the Rikkyo school in Tokyo. From these visits the idea of a permanent Japanese school evolved. Previously Japanese children had attended British schools, with special lessons in their own language and culture on Saturdays. But this system caused difficulties when they returned home, and even deterred some businessmen from accepting jobs in Britain. Now the school is run as an offshoot of the Rikkyo school. It s the only private establishment for Japanese children abroad, though the Government contribute towards teachers' salaries.

But although the school forms a Little Japan in the heart of England, the children soon assimilate a fe British traditions -- such as passion for following the fortunes of a favourite football team.